SALISBURY district and Wiltshire county branches of Unison have called on councillors and MPs to support this year's national pay claim for local government staff and to reject the employers' "penny-pinching" offer.

The trade union, which represents hundreds of staff who provide council services in south Wiltshire, has put in a claim for a four per cent-plus-£200 pay rise, with a £6.04p per hour minimum wage.

It also includes improvements in holidays, training and maternity provision to bring local government workers in line with the rest of the economy and other public sector workers.

But, so far, the Local Government Employers for England, Wales and Northern Ireland has responded with what Unison has described as a "penny-pinching" offer - a seven per cent increase on current salaries over a three-year period.

Apparently, this is less than inflation and a mere 11p an hour increase for the lowest paid.

Mark Wareham, branch organiser Salisbury District Unison, said: "This pay offer is an insult to staff working harder than ever to deliver efficient, quality local services.

"It is also a huge disappointment in the light of the Local Government Pay Commission's recommendations, which were meant to prevent future disputes over pay. Local supermarkets, offices and call centres are paying more than the council for less demanding work. Our members have been squeezed dry and people looking for jobs are giving local government the thumbs down."

Unison said its pay claim was needed to stop council staff being the poor relations of the public sector and to sustain a stable well-trained workforce, delivering quality services to local people.

"The government is funding a new pay system for the civil service, NHS employees and support staff in higher education, based on equal pay and workforce development," said Mr Wareham.

"Council employees deserve no less.

"The government must invest in council staff, council pay, equality and training if they really want to deliver on their promises of first-class public services.

"That is why we are calling on our local councillors and MPs to support this year's pay claim and press the government to put its money where its mouth is.

"Quality services mean quality treatment of the workforce - it's time to deliver."

Salisbury district Unison is lobbying councillors in support of the national claim and calling on local people who use council services to join them.

"We are all in this together," said Mr Wareham.

"Without real investment in the people who provide the services, the quality of life for local people will fall dramatically."